Heroic Characteristics In Candide And The Journey To The West

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Heroic Characteristics in Candide and The Journey to the West
What does it take to be considered a hero? In ancient literature one can become a hero in many different ways. The culture and era in which a literary work is created has a strong effect on the heroic figure. As literature evolved throughout time and cultures, a hero and villain could have similar actions but be portrayed completely different. A literary hero is defined as, “A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life”(online dictionary). In Voltaire’s Candide and The Journey to the West, by Wu Cheng’en, there is obvious relation to the background of the authors. Voltaire’s background of aristocracy and strong
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Both of these characters were devoted throughout their journeys. Candide has uncontrollable love for Cunegonde and keeps this throughout the separation and dramatic events of the story. Candide says, “You absolute idiot, I rescued you from the galley, I paid your ransom, I paid your sister’s…” to Cunegonde’s brother (Voltaire 411). He is expressing his reasons that he is good enough to marry his sister. This ties back to Voltaire’s culture of aristocracy. Cunegonde was the daughter of the German Baron, therefore she should not marry someone who is not of equal nobility. Candide is showing his resilience to this belief and dedicated to this dream of marring her. In The Journey to the West, Monkey proclaims, “Your pupil drifted across the oceans and trudged through many regions for more than ten years before finding this place” (Wu Cheng’en 435). Monkey is pleading his case that he is deserving of his want for immortality to The Patriarch. Relating to Candide, Monkey believes he has devoted a significant amount of time to this strive for immortality. Therefore, this repeating theme of dedication is used in both pieces of literature even though the origins are different. These quotes, coming from different cultures, show the same central message of a literary hero. It is especially stressed in Candide. Frequently occurring in the text, Candide says he will do anything to have his long lost lover back. In the concluding chapter of this story, Candide receives his blessing by living out his life with Cunegonde. As Candide is rewarded with Cunegonde, Voltaire was finally seen as a hero during the French revolution. He experienced many difficulties throughout his career by not following the cultural code of aristocracy. The Journey to the West uses the theme of dedication as a relation to the Buddhists belief of constant compassion to reach

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